Cancun Outlaws

Team season records:

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Season 1: 18-44 #10 (out of the playoffs)

Season 2: 34-46 #8 seed

Season 3: 57-23 #2 seed

Season 4: 45-35 #6 seed

Season 5: 61-19 #2 seed

Season 6: 59-21 #1 seed

Season 7: 59-21 #1 seed

Season 8: 55-25 #2 seed

Season 9: 65-15 #1 seed

Season 10: 59-21 #4 seed

Season 11: 62-18 #2 seed

Season 12: 63-17 #1 seed

Season Leaders:

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Season 1:

Min: Roger Bradshaw (39)

Pts: Roger Bradshaw (18.7)

Rbd: Roger Bradshaw (8.9)

Ast: Jimmy Foster (9.7)

Stl: Roger Bradshaw (2.5)

Blk: Thurman Holt (1.5)

FG%: Turk Moran (49.8%)

FT%: Bill Owens (95%)

3pt%: Bill Owens (32.2%)

Season 2:

Min: Scott Nicholson/Jimmy Foster (40)

Pts: Herman Burke (19.1)

Rbd: Scott Nicholson (9.3)

Ast: Jimmy Foster (12)

Stl: Roger Bradshaw (2.7)

Blk: Roger Bradshaw/Tony Gaston (0.8)

FG%: Tony Gaston (53.9%)

FT%: Jimmy Foster (79.5%)

3pt%: Herman Burke (44.6%)

Season 3:

Min: Jimmy Foster (40)

Pts: Kent Mercer (21.3)

Rbd: Kent Mercer (9.2)

Ast: Jimmy Foster (13)

Stl: Scott Nicholson (2.4)

Blk: Kent Mercer (2.8)

FG%: Kent Mercer (56.4%)

FT%: Herman Burke (89.4%)

3pt%: Shawn McKick (53.8%)

Season 4:

Min: Scott Nicholson (39)

Pts: Kent Mercer (22)

Rbd: Kent Mercer (10.4)

Ast: Jimmy Foster (10.7)

Stl: Scott Nicholson (2.7)

Blk: Kent Mercer (3.2)

FG%: Tony Gaston (54.8%)

FT%: Elvis Harris (93.8%)

3pt%: Shawn McKick/Herman Burke (41.3%)

Season 5:

Min: Scott Nicholson (39)

Pts: Parker Mason (20.9)

Rbd: Kent Mercer (8.6)

Ast: Parker Mason (9.7)

Stl: Scott Nicholson (2.5)

Blk: Kent Mercer (2.9)

FG%: Kent Mercer (54.5%)

FT%: Tony Gaston (91.5%)

3pt%: Parker Mason (37%)

Season 6:

Min: Scott Nicholson/Parker Mason (39)

Pts: Parker Mason (21)

Rbd: Kent Mercer (9.3)

Ast: Parker Mason (10.5)

Stl: Scott Nicholson (2.7)

Blk: Kent Mercer (2.3)

FG%: Kent Mercer (56.9%)

FT%: Tony Gaston (93.8%)

3pt%: Parker Mason (35.4%)

Season 7:

Min: Parker Mason (39)

Pts: Kent Mercer (23.3)

Rbd: Kent Mercer (11.1)

Ast: Parker Mason (9.4)

Stl: Parker Mason (2.7)

Blk: Kent Mercer (2.9)

FG%: Kent Mercer (52.2%)

FT%: Wilson Callaway (87.6)

3pt%: Shawn McKick (40.9)

Season 8:

Min: Parker Mason (39)

Pts: Kent Mercer (21.5)

Rbd: Kent Mercer (9.6)

Ast: Parker Mason (9.1)

Stl: Lonnie Gerson (4.1)

Blk: Kent Mercer (2.9)

FG%: Kent Mercer (51.8%)

FT%: Tyson Cooper (96.7%)

3pt%: Parker Mason (39%)

Season 9:

Min: Scott Nicholson (39)

Pts: Kent Mercer (21.0)

Rbd: Kent Mercer (9.1)

Ast: Parker Mason (8.5)

Stl: Lonnie Gerson (3.5)

Blk: Brad Bangerter (2.2)

FG%: Kent Mercer (48.6%)

FT%: Kent Mercer (93.6%)

3pt%: Parker Mason (38.1%)

Season 10:

Min: Parker Mason (38)

Pts: Kent Mercer (20.5)

Rbd: Kent Mercer (8.6)

Ast: Parker Mason (7.9)

Stl: Lonnie Gerson (3.2)

Blk: Kent Mercer (2.5)

FG%: Kent Mercer (53.9%)

FT%: Kent Mercer (92%)

3pt%: Parker Mason (42.5%)

Season 11:

Min: Parker Mason (37)

Pts: Kent Mercer (22.2)

Rbd: Kent Mercer (9)

Ast: Parker Mason (8.1)

Stl: Lonnie Gerson (3.5)

Blk: Kent Mercer (2.5)

FG%: Kent Mercer (52.8%)

FT%: Lonnie Gerson (92.6%)

3pt%: Parker Mason (45.9%)

Season 12:

Min: Parker Mason (35)

Pts: Kent Mercer (18.8)

Rbd: Kent Mercer/Reed Moses (8.1)

Ast: Paul Carroll (7)

Stl: Lonnie Gerson (2.5)

Blk: Kent Mercer (2)

FG%: Reed Moses (50.5%)

FT%: Lonnie Gerson (87.1%)

3pt%:Parker Mason (44.6%)

Draft selections:

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Season 1: No draft

Season 2: Scott Nicholson, PF/C (#4) Herman Burke, PG/SG (#34)

Season 3: Kent Mercer, PF/C (#3) Adam Birkett, PF/C (#41) Shawn McKick, PG/SG (#56)

Season 4: Chip Wilkinson, PF/C (#22) Trey McLaughlin, PG (#44) Rey Benedetto, SF/PF (#50)

Season 5: Charlie Hernandez, C (#41) Davonte Gonzalez, PF/C (#43) Jimmy Lewis, SG (#54)

Season 6: Wilson Callaway, PF (#45) Dan Castle, SF (#54) Pat Herget, C (#55)

Season 7: Felipe Juarez, PG (#27) Chris Worsinger (#55)

Season 8: No selections

Season 9: No selections

Season 10: Quade Nash, PF/C (#11) Ahmed Dougherty, SG (#14) Jim Koons, SG (#28) Liam McKee, PF (#42) Jim Young, C (#56)

Season 11: No selections

Season 12: Ulrich Kunze, C (#48)

Trades:

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Season 1:

-No trades

Season 2:

-Bill Owens to Fernie for Tim Smith and Myrtle Beach's season 3 2nd round pick

-Thurman Holt to Maine for Maine's season 3 1st rounder and NY's season 4 2nd round pick

Season 3:

-Roger Bradshaw, Picks #13, 15 and 31 to Nebraska for picks #3 and #56

Season 4:

-Rey Benedetto to Midland for Nebraska's season 6 2nd round pick

Season 5:

-Jimmy Foster, Herman Burke, pick #15 and Cancun's season 6 & 8 1st round pick to Washington for Parker Mason, Jalen Bell and pick #26

-Pick #26, 1.25 million in season 5 to Midland for picks #41 & #55, London's season 6 2nd round pick and 1.5 million in season 6

-Jalen Bell, Chip Wilkinson, 2 million in season 5 to VI for Montana's season 8 & 9 2nd round picks and 1 million in season 6

Season 6:

-Pat Herget to Miami for Miami's season 8 2nd round pick

-Art Manchese to VI for VI's season 11 2nd round pick

Season 7:

-Tony Gaston and 0.5 million in season 7 to Montana for Montana's season 12 2nd round pick

-Frank Costantini, Cancun's and Miami's season 8 2nd round picks to Budapest for Budapest's season 12 1st round pick

-Adam Birkett to Capetown for Capetown's season 10 2nd round pick

Season 8:

-Cancun's season 9 1st & 2nd round picks, Montana's 2nd round picks in seasons 8 & 9 to Nebraska for Nebraska's season 11 2nd round pick and Nebraska's 1st and 2nd round picks in season 12

-Felipe Juarez and 1 million in season 8 to Omaha for Omaha's season 10 2nd and Omaha's season 11 1st round pick

-Wilson Callaway, Jerry Dickenson, Derek Berenyi, Capetown's & Omaha's season 10 2nd round picks, VI's & Nebraska's and Cancun's season 11 2nd round picks, Cancun's season 11 1st round pick, Montana's & Nebraska's season 11 2nd round picks and Budapest's season 12 1st round pick to Albacete for Brad Bangerter and 2.5 million in season 8

Season 9:

-Wong-Wei Wang to Gabon for Gabon's season 10 2nd round pick

Season 10:

-Brad Bangerter to SLC for Gabon's season 10 1st round pick, Montana's season 12 1st round pick and SLC's season 11 2nd round pick

-Nebraska's season 12 1st round pick, SLC's season 11 2nd round pick and Cancun's season 13 2nd round pick to Washington for SLC's season 10 1st round pick

-Pick #15, Cancun's season 12 and 14 2nd rounders to Miami for pick #11

-Scott Lio to Texas for Sam Plummer and Texas season 14 2nd round pick

-Quade Nash, Sam Plummer and Texas season 11 2nd round pick to Washington for Reed Moses

-Cancun season 13 1st round pick to Sacramento for Matthew Pitcher

-Scott Currie and Jim Young to Omaha for Ellis Law and 1.25 million in season 10

-Mathew Pitcher, Cancun season 15 2nd round pick and 0.12 million in season 10 to Boston for Boston season 13 1st round pick

Season 11:

-Jeremy Aarons to Budapest for Budapest season 13 & 14 2nd round picks

-Long Island season 12 1st to Albacete for Albacete season 15 first and Long Island season 12 2nd

-Marvin Lee to NY for NY season 13 2nd round pick

-NY season 13 2nd round pick, 1 million in season 11 to Omaha for Chad O'Donnell

Season 12:

-Scott Nicholson (sign and trade) to Alaska for Sacramento's season 13 2nd round pick and Toronto's season 13 1st round pick

-Pick #58 and Sacramento's season 13 2nd rounder to Toronto for Seoul's season 13 2nd round pick

-Toronto's season 13 1st round pick and Boston's season 13 1st round pick to Long Island for Paul Carroll

-Seoul's season 13 2nd round pick to Las Vegas for Issac Rice and 2.1 million in season 12

Season 1:

Starting five: Jimmy Foster, Bill Owens, Tony Gaston, Thurman Holt, Roger Bradshaw

Key bench players: Duke Thompson, Blue Walsh, Turk Moran

Playoffs: Did not make the playoffs

Drafting second to last in the inaugural WBA draft, the Cancun Outlaws made PF/C Roger Bradshaw the first ever player of the organization. The strategy of GM Pat Fullum was to select youth, especially in the first couple of rounds. After Bradshaw, the team selected PG Jimmy Foster, a selection that raised many eyebrows. But Foster proved the critics wrong when he went on to be selected on the all-star team and had a solid game with six assist and five rebounds. The 19 year old PG and Bradshaw were the lone bright spots in a season where the goal of the coaching staff was to develop youngster like these two and Tony Gaston.

Season 2:

Starting five: Jimmy Foster, Herman Burke, Tony Gaston, Scott Nicholson, Roger Bradshaw

Key bench players: Duke Thompson, Blue Walsh, Turk Moran

Playoffs: Eliminated in the first round by Cincinnati (0-3)

After a tough first season, Cancun quickly turned things around in season two. First, the team drafted 19 year old Scott Nicholson at the #4 spot, officials felt lucky as Nicholson was #2 on their list. And then at #32, the team selected combo guard Herman Burke, who would go on to lead the team in scoring in his freshman year. The two rookies would have an immediate impact as the Outlaws improved their win total by 16 games. The emergence of the rookies chased veterans Thurman Holt and Bill Owens from Cancun as the organization continued its youth movement. Burke led the team in scoring thanks in large part to the unselfish play of frontcourt players Roger Bradshaw and Scott Nicholson, as well as Jimmy Foster's passing ability. Burke was big in the rookie game scoring 18 points on 8/12 shooting while Nicholson was quieter. Jimmy Foster finished 3rd in the league in assists and continued to improve. Tony Gaston also made big strides, and showed up to camp a much improved player. So coupled with the addition of two rookies and the development of the young veterans, Cancun was able to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. But the franchise was reminded it was a long way from being a contender by being swept by a better Cincinnati team. Roger Bradshaw struggled in that series against Jim McCarthy, but the Outlaws were simply no match for Cincy.

Season 3:

Starting five: Jimmy Foster, Herman Burke, Tony Gaston, Scott Nicholson, Kent Mercer

Key bench players: Shawn McKick, Elvis Harris, Adam Birkett, Duke Thompson

Playoffs: Lost in the conference finals to Tokyo (1-4)

After Roger Bradshaw's poor showing in the previous season's playoffs, team officials decide it needed to find a more conventional center, as Bradshaw, like Nicholson, was more comfortable playing outside and handling the ball. So Bradshaw was shipped to Nebraska along with three picks for the third overall pick and the last pick of the rookie draft. The Outlaws found their center in franchise player Kent Mercer. Adam Birkett and Shawn McKick (last player selected in the draft) were also selected and bolstered a weak Cancun bench. Another rookie was signed in free agency and was an important factor in the team's success: Elvis Harris. Finally, the team had players to compete for playing time, creating a good competition in practices. Right at the beginning of the season, McKick challenged Burke for the starting shooting guard spot, Duke Thompson saw Harris steal his backup SF spot, only to reclaim it back in the playoffs. All this meant that Cancun went from 34 wins to 57 wins, thus earning the #2 seed in the west. A nice rivalry was born in season's 2 playoffs when Cancun beat Nebraska, as both would face each other many times in the next couple of post-season. So it went to the conference finals, where the Outlaws were facing a young Tokyo team. It was a battle between the top two rookie big men, Lou Gonzalez and Kent Mercer. Gonzalez had the upper hand as the pressure seemed to get to a young Outlaw team that was favoured in this series. Scott Nicholson had a great postseason, as he was the best player of his team.

Season 4:

Starting five: Jimmy Foster, Herman Burke, Tony Gaston, Scott Nicholson, Kent Mercer

Key bench players: Shawn McKick, Elvis Harris, Adam Birkett, Chip Wilkinson

Playoffs: Eliminated in the first round by Nebraska (2-3)

Season 4 was a big disappointment for this franchise. Taking a step backward and dropping to a 45-35 record was not what the coaching staff was expecting. It all started in the draft, where at first it was thought that Cancun had a great draft night. But unfortunately, Chip Wilkinson and Trey McLaughlin turned out to be busts. Wilkinson did play some minutes as he was given an opportunity to contribute, but was not convincing. Returning the same starting five and their best three bench players plus having one of the youngest teams in the league, much was expected of this squad. But things didn't click, and even 10 games above .500 was considered a failure. One bright spot on the team was the emergence of Kent Mercer, as he became one of the best players in the WBA, averaging a “20-10-3”. Jimmy Foster and Scott Nicholson also continued their steady development. Things seemed to be looking up just prior to postseason as the Outlaws won their last seven games. Going into the playoffs as a #6 seed facing Nebraska, Mercer led the way to two straight victories to give the club a 2-0 lead. But the dismal shooting of Jimmy Foster and Scott Nicholson was the downfall of the team as Nebraska came back and won the last three games to eliminate the Outlaws.

Season 5:

Starting five: Parker Mason, Shawn McKick, Tony Gaston, Scott Nicholson, Kent Mercer

Key bench players: Elvis Harris, Adam Birkett, John Stewart, Charlie Hernandez, Jimmy Lewis

Playoffs: Lost in the conference finals to Colorado (0-4)

MVP! MVP! MVP! Those were the chants heard all season long in Cancun for the team's newest star, Parker Mason. Mason came over from a trade with Washington and immediately made a huge impact. Paired with Kent Mercer, he led the Outlaws to their best ever season record, 61-19. Shawn McKick stepped in the starting lineup to replace Herman Burke and gave Mason a perfect running mate in the backcourt. One of the only negatives in this season was the struggles of Scott Nicholson, who didn't seem to be playing as well, struggling to fit in a new offense ran by Parker Mason. Coming into the playoffs, most observers were anticipating a Colorado/Cancun confrontation, and that's what happened. After having taking its revenge on Nebraska by eliminating them, Cancun was ready for Colorado, coming off the best season ever for a WBA team. But the play of Mason had everyone believing Cancun could upset the Darn Pioneers. But Colorado was not to be denied on its quest for the championship, crushing Cancun in four straight games. Nicholson continued to struggle but Mason and Mercer both played extremely well in the playoffs.

Season 6:

Starting five: Parker Mason, Shawn McKick, Elvis Harris, Scott Nicholson, Kent Mercer

Key bench players: Tony Gaston, Wilson Callaway, Jimmy Lewis, Adam Birkett

Playoffs: Won the WBA championship vs. Boston (4-1)

This season was all about M'N'M, Mercer, Nicholson and Mason. They dominated all season long to earn Cancun its first ever #1 spot. Minor changes were made to the team, as Elvis Harris was inserted into the starting lineup, replacing solid Tony Gaston. Wilson Callaway was arguably the steal of the draft at #45 and came in as the backup PF. And second year player Jimmy Lewis replaced John Stewart as the backup guard, Stewart having signed elsewhere as a free agent. And then everything went well all the way to the WBA finals, where the Outlaws, led by the spectacular play of Parker Mason, beat the Boston Massacre to earn its first ever championship. Mason was the only contributor of this team that was not drafted by the organization and some were late second rounders (McKick, Callaway, Lewis, Birkett and Harris who wasn't drafted). So a great season ended on a great note for the Cancun Outlaws as they won the franchise's first ever WBA championship.

Season 7:

Starting five: Parker Mason, Shawn McKick, Elvis Harris, Scott Nicholson, Kent Mercer

Key bench players: Wilson Callaway, Sam Plummer, Felipe Juarez

Playoffs: Lost in the WBA finals to Albacete (0-4)

Just after midseason, the Cancun franchise suffered a major blow when Scott Nicholson landed awkwardly during practice and injured his knee. Nicholson's knee would not jeopardize his career, but the knee would never heal completely. Nicholson missed 18 games in the regular season and played in only 9 of the teams 21 playoffs game. And to make matters worse, Cancun didn't possess the same depth it had the past couple of seasons. But still, the Outlaws were able to secure the #1 seed on the last game of the season, at Baltimore. Cancun was ½ games behind Nebraska and needed a win at Baltimore to secure the #1 spot. With Baltimore leading by one point with seconds left on the clock, Parker Mason came to the rescue and hit a jump shot as time expired to give his team the win and home court advantage for the western conference playoffs. And that shot was even bigger when Nicholson missed the first 6 games of the conference finals against Nebraska. So there was a game seven, in Cancun. Nicholson was able to play in that game but wasn't a factor as Kent Mercer put the team on his shoulders and brought them back to the WBA finals for a second consecutive season. But in the finals, Lou Gonzalez, Harry Jarvis and the Albacete Burning Hell were waiting patiently to get their first ring. Despite a courageous performance by Kent Mercer, the Outlaws were no match for Lou and his band, as Albacete won convincingly in four games.

Season 8:

Starting five: Parker Mason, Scott Lio (after Shawn McKick went down), Lonnie Gerson, Scott Nicholson, Kent Mercer

Key bench players: Brad Bangerter, Elvis Harris, Tyson Cooper, Wong-Wei Wang

Playoffs: Won the WBA championship vs Brooklyn (4-2)

The season started on a very positive note, as Scott Nicholson showed up to camp in great shape, rehabbing his knee hard in the regular season. And in the off-season, the team was able to sign free agent Lonnie Gerson to a contract. Gerson brought his great stealing ability and immediately made the defense better. And another free agent was acquired that would play a big role, Tyson Cooper. The shooting guard fit in perfectly in the backcourt, as he is a great ball handler and didn't commit turnovers (a flaw on this team). But after 12 games, another important player fell to an injury. Shawn McKick tore his Achilles tendon in a game. McKick was having a career year, averaging 12 points, fives assist and rebounds and over one block and one steal. So GM Pat Fullum was in a hurry to find a replacement for Mckick. Several offers were made but the player the organization has targeted was in Texas, a division rival. So a potential lottery pick was offered and a deal was made. Rookie Scott Lio came in Cancun and provided a great lift with his slashing ability and toughness. The last piece of the puzzle was added just prior to the trade deadline when Brad Bangerter was acquired. Fullum had tried to trade for his services since the beginning of the season but Albacete's GM only accepted a deal late in the season. Three players and eight picks were sent to Albacete to acquire Bangerter. But it was all worth it at the end as Bangerter was an important part of the team that would go on to win its second WBA title. The team almost fell again to Lou Gonzalez, now back in Oregon, but Cancun was victorious in game seven vs. Oregon. In the finals, things didn't look so good after Brooklyn took a 2-0 lead at home, but behind the play of Cancun's three stars (Mercer, Nicholson and Mason) and the inspired play of the rookies Lio and Bangerter, Cancun became the first franchise to ever win two WBA crowns, and the team with the most finals appearances (three). Parker Mason also became the first player ever to get three rings.

Season 9:

Starting five: Parker Mason, Scott Lio, Lonnie Gerson, Scott Nicholson, Kent Mercer

Key bench players: Brad Bangerter, Shawn McKick, Paul Carroll, Jim Fox

Playoffs: Won the WBA championship vs. Washington (4-1)

In the off-season, Cancun finally got a player they were looking to acquire since season one: Jim Fox. The veteran player accepted a minimum deal to have a shot at the title and to provide help should Nicholson's bad knee need rest. The team also signed undrafted rookie shooting guard Paul Carroll to a minimum contract and Carroll turned out to be one of the good rookies of this draft after he left his abusive wife in a much publicized divorce. And there was Shawn Mckick, who worked very hard to overcome a serious achilles injury and come back to Cancun's lineup. So everything was in place for the season. The season started with a great showing by the Cancun bench in the preseason. But some criticized Cancun's choice to rest the big players and not work out its rotation. Those doubts might have been founded has the Outlaws, after winning the three first games of the regular season, dropped the next five. It was the worst loosing streak of the club since season two. But Cancun was 62-10 the rest of the way, getting their best regular season record ever. One of the keys to the turnaround was the emergence of Brad Bangerter, who was asked to backup all three frontcourt positions. Bangerter was awarded by being voted as the most improved player and best sixth man in the league. And BB was huge late in the season when Cancun went to Washington to play co-league leading Monuments in a game that would eventually decide home court advantage in the WBA finals. With Scott Nicholson out with a bad knee, BB was the player that led Cancun to an impressive blowout game versus Washington. So Cancun headed to the playoffs with a lot of confidence, but also with a lot of pressure. Not only did this team had the opportunity to be the first ever team to win back-to-back championship, but with a third title and fourth finals appearance in four seasons, they had a shot at greatness: being the first ever dynasty of the WBA. The team responded well going 15-4 in the playoffs and winning its third championship. Good leadership, enthusiasm from young rookies and veterans looking for their first rings and a breakout performance by Scott Nicholson all led to this win. Nicholson, often criticized for never living up to expectations placed on his shoulders when he came out of college, was the MVP of the finals and was superb all the way to the championship. As for Parker Mason, he got his fourth ring and thus consolidated his place among the all-time greats, and probably assured himself a spot at the hall of fame.

Season 10

Starting five: Parker Mason, Jeremy Aarons, Lonnie Gerson, Scott Nicholson, Kent Mercer

Key bench players: Reed Moses, Ahmed Dougherty, Ellis Law, Jim Koons, Treyvon Marlow

Playoffs: Eliminated in the second round by Texas (1-4)

The season started with an uncharacteristic busy off-season for the Outlaws. Many trades were completed, plenty more were discussed and players came in and out of the organization. Cancun completed eight trades during season 10, which was by far the most in franchise history. The biggest one came when Brad Bangerter was traded to SLC in a sign-and-trade, a move BB's agent was pushing for since the season ended. With Bangerter gone, sophomore Reed Moses was brought in to replace the frontcourt minutes and he was one of the best sixth man in the league. Ellis Law was brought in later in the season and provided instant offense off the bench. Rookies Jeremy Aarons, Ahmed Dougherty and Jim Koons were nice surprises coming from the draft and contributed solid minutes, but having three rookies at the shooting guard spot might have hurt the team in the long run. But everything seemed to be going well up until the trading deadline. Parker Mason and Kent Mercer were their usual dominant self, while Scott Nicholson was once again the perfect sidekick to the two superstars. Cancun was sitting atop the WBA with a somewhat comfortable lead. But then their was a rumour that Mason and Lonnie Gerson had been dealt to Montana in exchange of Jarius Miles and Kadeem Reed. But Montana's disgruntled point guard Umberto Ditullio, included in the deal, refused to waive his no-trade clause and everyone had to stay put. Miles and Ditullio were later traded to Brooklyn, but the effect on the Outlaws seemed negative. Everything went downhill from then on as the lead began to evaporate, with the ballclub loosing many games to lowly teams. Finally, the team went on a 4-8 finish, dropping its last three regular season games and finishing a disappointing fourth in the western conference. In the first round, Cancun got by Capetown playing inspired basketball, but the Dynasty was ended when Texas won convincingly in five games. Everything went wrong for Cancun in that series and Texas outplayed them from the opening tip of the series to the last second of play…

Season 11

Starting five: Parker Mason, Ahmed Dougherty, Lonnie Gerson, Kent Mercer, Reed Moses

Key bench players: Scott Nicholson, Jim Koons, Chad O'Donnell, Treyvon Marlow

Playoffs: Eliminated in conference finals by Oregon (3-4)

Is the dynasty over? That was the question everyone was asking around the Outlaws all offseason long. Were the veteran players happy and content with four finals appearances and three rings? Still feeling the sting of a disappointing season, most of the returning players showed up to camp in great shape. Two sophomores, Jim Koons and Ahmed Dougherty, made huge strides and made another sophomore, starting shooting guard Jeremy Aarons, expendable. Dougherty was the most impressive, improving his interior scoring and most aspects of his game. Reed Moses also was improved and the veterans kept in good shape. Everything indicated that the Cancun Outlaws were ready for another championship run. There was a little bit of controversy at camp when it was announced that Scott Nicholson would be relegated to 6th man duty in favour of Reed Moses, but Scott was professional about it and ended up getting the 6th man of the year award. The Outlaws coasted through the season and ended with the second best record in franchise history, tied with Oregon for the top spot in the western conference (with Oregon holding the tie-breaker). Ahmed Dougherty had a breakthrough season and was rewarded with the most improved player award. The playoffs started very well for The Outlaws, winning the first two series by sweeping the opposing team. In the conference finals they had to face the defending champions Oregon Golden Bears. The series was a WBA classic, as the two teams went at it, with two of the top guards in the league, Parker Mason and Bishop Stein, fighting it out. It went to a game seven where Oregon proved why they were the champs, using home court advantage to completely dominate the Outlaws…

Season 12

Starting five: Parker Mason, Ahmed Dougherty, Lonnie Gerson, Kent Mercer, Reed Moses

Key bench players: Paul Carroll, Chad O'Donnell, Roy Cader, Al Zarra, Isaac Rice

Playoffs: Eliminated in conference finals by Oregon (2-4)

The season began with one of the team's star being dealt: Scott Nicholson, the longest standing Outlaw was shipped to Alaska because of cap issues. So Kent Mercer and Parker Mason went into this season with the third member of M'N'M playing elsewhere, a trio that brought Cancun three championships. Some predicted doom on the franchise, but Reed Moses emerged as a great starting center, relegating Kent Mercer to the power forward spot. Paul Carroll, who was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent, was brought back to stabilize the backcourt and bring some much needed passing to this squad. Centers Al Zarra was signed as a free agent as he had been a target of the organization for some time and was finally brought over. With these two additions plus the late signing of Roy Cader, Cancun opened the season on fire, winning nine of its first ten games. Ahmed Dougherty, in a contract year, quickly emerged as the offensive leader for a deep offensive team. As the Outlaws were battling for top spot in the league all season long, they went out and acquired oft-injured power forward Isaac Rice. Rice is known as a great talent, but a player who's had a history of injuries. When he was acquired, Rice was already on the sidelines because of knee tendonitis, but GM Pat Fullum made the move to boost the team's performance in the playoffs. So Rice played the last seven games of the season, helping the team secure homecourt advantage throughout the post season. But in the last game, in the fourth quarter, he sprained his knee. That injury turned out to be fatal for the Outlaws, because center Reed Moses suffered a broken leg against the Gabon Giants in the first round of the playoffs. The team was able to regroup and beat a tough Capetown squad in the 2nd round, but in the conference finals, Oregon and their new supersub Scott Nicholson were just too much for the depleted Cancun team.